How to spot deadly fake Glen's vodka as shops to be searched

Councils across Scotland are being urged to search local shops for bottles of counterfeit vodka that could contain a potentially lethal chemical.

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) has issued a food alert for action notice after fake bottles of Glen’s vodka were found on sale in Glasgow after an initial discovery a local shop in Lanarkshire last month.

The scale of distribution of the fake alcohol is currently unknown prompting FSS and Glen’s to issue guidance to help customers spot the counterfeit products.

Dozens of 35cl bottles fraudulently labelled as Glen’s were seized from a convenience store in Coatbridge in August after a customer reported the strong smell of nail varnish remover from the drink.

Samples taken from the bottles revealed the presence of isopropyl, a dangerous chemical which can cause symptoms ranging from abdominal pain, vomiting, dizziness, to slow breathing, coma and death.

Ingestion of any amount can lead to toxicity and larger amounts can be fatal.

Further seizures were made in Glasgow over the weekend.

How to tell the difference between genuine and fake Glen’s vodka

To help Glen’s customers identify a genuine bottle, they are being urged to look out for a laser etched lotcode applied to the bottle between the rear label and the base of the bottle.

Every genuine bottle of Glen’s vodka has a laser etched lotcode applied to the bottle. FSS

They will also have the following markings on the base of the bottle – the highlighted three identifiers will not vary (position or detail).

Smelling the product is also advised as isopropyl has a strong odour.

Every genuine bottle of Glen’s vodka woill have these markings on the base of the bottle. FSS

A spokesperson for the Loch Lomond Group which owns Glen’s Vodka, said: “Our priority is the health and safety of the public which includes our many thousands of loyal Glen’s customers.

“We are working hard to support the excellent efforts of Food Standards Scotland and the other authorities involved to address the matter urgently.

“We would urge any customers who suspect they may have a counterfeit product to contact their local council’s environmental health service or the Food Standards Scotland Food Crime and Incidents Unit as quickly as possible.”

Gordon Mitchell, head of Crime Operations at FSS, said: “Following further seizures of counterfeit vodka over the weekend, we need the public to be aware of any factors which may help them distinguish counterfeit products from genuine Glen’s.

“As well as a distinct smell, the counterfeit products are bottled differently to genuine Glen’s and the images provided will help consumers to tell the difference.

“As we do not yet know the scale of distribution of these products, but we do know the potential dangers associated with consumption, we are urging consumers once again to be extremely vigilant and to please get in touch if you have any information relating to the counterfeit vodka.

“We would also remind retailers that they should only be purchasing products from reputable suppliers.”